James Brown

[Masdefi]

No luck for James Brown on this forum!
Nevertheless a lot of disco was released by this artist. Why should he be so forgotten, the king of soul, the Sex Machine man, .... at his age?!? What is your opinion about?

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Let the music take your mind, baby

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Masdefi on 2002-07-20 18:29 ]</font>

[NickNack]

Sorry, Masdefi, but I will NEVER consider putting James Brown in the "disco" category. This man's music has been played by one family member of mine or another since the mid-to-late 1950's.

As a 'funkmaster', or 'THE GODFATHER OF SOUL', yes. But disco, no. I know "Sex Machine" was large at the time, but for many of us it was just another funky dance piece in a long string of 'get-off-your-ass-and-dance' pieces by Mr. Brown. And, to be truthful, his music was not heavily played in the gay clubs in New York, despite his reputation.

James Brown is definitely a landmark, but not a disco godfather, IMHO.

[Funky Dude]

I personally wouldn't totally exclude him from the disco scene as I know of two songs that fit very well in the discotech:

Get Up Offa That Thing 1976
If You Don't Give A Doggone About It 1977

[disco1999]

On 2002-07-20 21:26, Funky Dude wrote:
I personally wouldn't totally exclude him from the disco scene as I know of two songs that fit very well in the discotech:
Get Up Offa That Thing 1976
If You Don't Give A Doggone About It 1977

Agree with Funky Dude, especially for Get up offa that thing, and I may add Living in america, that did fit pretty well in discos in '84.

[Mixmachine]

James Brown was a great influence in the pre-SNF disco scene, many clubs at time played lots of funk all over the country, the live version of ‘Sex Machine” and “Give it up turnit loose” were listed in many disco charts and this songs packed floors in mid 70’s Miami Beach’s clubs full of vacationing New Yorkers among others, The JB’s also had huge club hits, “Doing it to death” been my fave, and Lynn Collins “Think” also produced by JB is one of the most funky club hit ever, I also played in clubs and parties many other hits like “get off that thang…” “Payback” “funky Watergate” and so many others i can't remeber now.

[Masdefi]

On 2002-07-20 21:02, NickNack wrote:
Sorry, Masdefi, but I will NEVER consider putting James Brown in the "disco" category. This man's music has been played by one family member of mine or another since the mid-to-late 1950's.

As a 'funkmaster', or 'THE GODFATHER OF SOUL', yes. But disco, no. I know "Sex Machine" was large at the time, but for many of us it was just another funky dance piece in a long string of 'get-off-your-ass-and-dance' pieces by Mr. Brown. And, to be truthful, his music was not heavily played in the gay clubs in New York, despite his reputation.

James Brown is definitely a landmark, but not a disco godfather, IMHO.

Hi Nicky,
I agree with you, of course JB can't be put in the disco category. But I assume this forum is open-view, in the past a lot of posts appeared not strictly disco and so I am wondering why this artist comes up very little in this forum, just curious.
Personally I don't like so much James' music, excluding some famous hits ("living in America", "Sex Machine").

[Nano]

Yeah, JB is awesome.
I remember hearing in those days a funky-disco song I'm quite sure belongs to Mr. Brown or one of his related artists. Started with JB himself yellin' a cappella something like "c'mon everybody! CLAP YOUR HAAAANDS!" Then started this funky number and he sang "you got to feel good...", many short screams, you get the idea being JB.
This was around 1981 and all I knew about the Godfather was that one of his songs ended the "Bits & Pieces III" mix (that being the earlier "Doin' it to death"). But now my memory tells me that guy screaming was Himself...
I also remember most clubs tended to air the instrumental mix over the original. Any clue?

[jazz_pilgrim]

Funnily enough I was thinking of starting a similar thread myself. Blax, Sammy and I have been discussing this very issue by e-mail ...

I would define Disco music as "music played in discos' and I know that, to this day, if you put a James Brown track in any UK disco, you would GUARANTEE a full dance floor - heavin' !!!

I am, like you, very surprised that JB does not get more of a mention in the threads on this Board, as his contribution to Seventies black dance music was I-M-M-E-N-S-E ... And I think he definitely dererves more of a mention than he gets ... For me, he was probably one of the most significant influences of all for dance music.

But, I guess it depends from which angle your dance music comes from .. In the UK soul clubs, the emphasis was definitely on the soulful and funky end of the spectrum. But if your music was of the Eurodisco / Hi-NRG kind, then I guess this wouldn't necessarily be the case ...

But my strongest argument in favour of JB is ... Where would disco dance music have gone WITHOUT James Brown?? I think he is one of the few artists who was genuinely ground-breaking and REVOLUTIONARY. Without his contribution, we would have been a lot poorer ...

Good thread!!! :grin: :grin:

[Blaxman]

About James Brown:

This man is a genius. A great producer too!

And...like his 1979 album title says:

James Brown is the "Original Disco Man"!

Peace

[nonkel808]

I've got a real disco-12" by JAMES BROWN!
> STAR GENERATION! (1979, Polydor)
This is not the James Brown as you know him!
Not the typical james brown-funk but a real disco track!
It's got an up tempo disco rythm, female vocals, mid-song breakdown, space sounds, conga bells,...
Anyone familiar with this track?

[Masdefi]

On 2002-07-22 03:43, jazz_pilgrim wrote:
I would define Disco music as "music played in discos' and I know that, to this day, if you put a James Brown track in any UK disco, you would GUARANTEE a full dance floor - heavin' !!!

Thanks Jazzy, there has been a lot of discussions about what is or what could be or what should be DISCO. But you will agree that not all JB tracks can de danced.

[Giovanni]

On 2002-07-22 10:27, Blaxman wrote:
About James Brown:

This man is a genius. A great producer too!

And...like his 1979 album title says:

James Brown is the "Original Disco Man"!

Peace

Blax you're right!
He's not a disco artist but his influences are enormous. We cannot put artificial borders in music, but "Too funky in here" from "The original disco man" (79) is a true funky disco stomper. I played it a lot at that time and people used to dance so good.

[Blaxman]

On 2002-07-22 15:19, Masdefi wrote:

But you will agree that not all JB tracks can de danced.

Masdefi,

Everything is danceable "if you know how to dance".

Peace

BTW, Good topic Masdefi!!

[Blaxman]

[quote]
On 2002-07-31 20:25, Giovanni wrote:

On 2002-07-22 10:27, Blaxman wrote:

Blax you're right!
He's not a disco artist but his influences are enormous. We cannot put artificial borders in music, but "Too funky in here" from "The original disco man" (79) is a true funky disco stomper. I played it a lot at that time and people used to dance so good.

Great song indeed Giovanni!!

Sometimes I think the people wants the music that they could dance, but they should learn to dance first!! :oops:

But I must say, it's my fault not the music.
In general disco fans tend to feel more comfortable dancing 4/4 beat songs than syncopated songs. IMHO

Peace